貞元新定釋教目錄 17.4.5

17.4.5

submitted a memorial of gratitude to report: "Having humbly received the imperial decree with its gracious inquiries, I am filled with profound gratitude and awe. As the palace commissioner is now returning, I respectfully append my thanks. Your subject, having received the imperial decree to extend consoling regards to the translating monk Guangji, respectfully appends this to your subject's memorial: 'This humble monk has specially received Your Sage's compassionate consolation and inquiries, and is beyond measure grateful and indebted. I respectfully append my gratitude to report this.'"
At that time, all the eminent monks gathered like clouds to deliberate together on translating the sūtra. Having found the right person, it was necessary to secure a suitable place. Because Ximing Monastery was far and coming and going was arduous, in accordance with what was convenient, Chongfu Monastery was chosen. A formal report was submitted to the Palace Commissioner's Bureau to memorialise the Throne. The heavenly favor did not decline, and the palace commissioner made the imperial proclamation. On the fourth day of the sixth month of the twelfth year, the palace commissioner Zhang Tingxuan proclaimed the receipt of the imperial decree: "The Indic pothi of the sūtra should be translated forthwith and presented upon completion. Thirty-five and a half taels of incense and fifty catties of tea are bestowed upon the Translation Bureau as offerings. In the summer heat, with respectful inquiries, are the venerable Great Worthies all safe and well?"
The note says: Contemplating from afar the Great Sage establishing his teachings in the Western Regions, they were circulated to the Eastern Xia according to the capacities suitable for conversion. Formerly, when the Tathāgata appeared in the world, he turned the wheel of the Dharma in the Deer Park and entered perfect quiescence between the twin trees. The compilation was made in the Pippala Cave. Since Emperor Ming of the Han governed the realm, the Dharma has transformed this region. Passing through the Jin, Wei, Zhou, and Sui down to the present day, the flowing of the sun and moon has approached a full thousand years; yet none compares to our Emperor's undertaking, which surpasses all in flourishing. The Yao clan of the Later Qin transmitted and translated in the Thatched Hall; the Sage Emperor reveres the teaching and translates the sūtra in Chongfu Monastery. The eras comprise the past and present, but their legitimate lineages are completely distinct. The four quarters revere his manners, and myriad realms look up to his virtue.
On this day, the sūtra title was initiated, named *Buddhāvataṃsaka-nāma-mahāvaipulya-sūtra*, fascicle 1, "Entering into the Inconceivable Sphere of Liberation: Chapter on Samantabhadra's Conduct and Vows". On the twenty-fourth day of the second month of the fourteenth year, it was presented to the Emperor. The Kashmīran Tripiṭaka Master, the purple-robe-bestowed śramaṇa Prajñā, recited the Indic text. The śramaṇa Guangji of Tiangong Monastery in the Eastern Capital translated the speech. The purple-robe-bestowed śramaṇa Yuanzhao of Ximing Monastery took it down with the brush. The śramaṇas Zhirou and Zhitong of Baoshou Monastery arranged the text. The śramaṇa Daohong of Zhengjue Monastery in Chengdu Prefecture and the śramaṇa Jianling of Zhangjing Monastery polished the prose. The śramaṇa Daozhang of Dajue Monastery inspected the text and verified the meaning. The śramaṇa Datong of Qianfu Monastery certified the dhyāna meaning. The śramaṇa Chengguan of Chongfu Monastery in Taiyuan Prefecture and the śramaṇa Lingsui of Qianfu Monastery definitively settled the translation. The specially designated supervisor was the equestrian cavalier of the Right Shence Army, Chief General of the Headquarters Cavalry, and concurrent Officer of the Guard, Specially Promoted and Judicial Investigator of Dengzhou, Your Subject Nan Zhengong. The memorial of the Protector-General Palace Commandant of the Right Shence Army, Commissioner of Buddhist Merits for the Right Street, Yuancong Veteran of Xingyuan, Yunhui General, General of the Right Gate Watchmen Guard, Director of Palace Service Affairs, Upper Pillar of State, Founding Baron of Jiaocheng County with a fief of three hundred households, Your Subject Huo Xianming, and the Protector-General Palace Commandant of the Left Shence Army, Commissioner of Buddhist Merits for the Left Street, Yuancong Veteran of Xingyuan, General of Agile Cavalry, Acting Grand General of the Left Gate Watchmen Guard, Director of Palace Service Affairs, Upper Pillar of State, Duke of Bin State with a fief of three thousand households, Your Subject Dou Wenchang, and others:
Your Subject Xianming states: I have humbly observed that the King of the kingdom of Oḍra in Southern India offered an Indic pothi of the *Avataṃsaka-sūtra*. An imperial decree commanded your subjects to supervise the Kashmīran Tripiṭaka Śramaṇa Prajñā together with the capital's Great Worthy, the monk Lingsui, and others to translate it jointly. It has now been translated into forty fascicles forming a single complete work. Its meaning is the same as the translation of the "Chapter on Entering the Dharmadhātu" of the ninth assembly in the old *Avataṃsaka-sūtra*. Rendering the language of that country into the speech of this land, the profound gateway and wondrous key are clearly illuminated and expressed. Monastics and laity gaze in reverence, praising it as though personally in the assembly. Your Subject Xianming and others, with utmost sincerity and reverent devotion, kowtow and bow our heads repeatedly.
Your subject has heard: The supreme teaching has no words, yet without words there would be no way to convey its intent. Words only serve to guide practice; once practice is accomplished, words are established. Therefore, concentration and wisdom both penetrate, and speech and silence are both transforming. We humbly reflect that Your Imperial Majesty's sheltering and supporting grace is vast, and your Way covers the boundless. Your sagely thought illuminates and accomplishes mysterious virtue; this is truly the one unity uniting the myriad differences, the common culmination of the Three Teachings. Gazing upon the barbarian sentiments longing for transformation by the Middle Kingdom, they exhaustively penetrated the treasury of liberation and gathered palm leaves from the dhyāna forests. Still, he wrote it with his own hand to express his devotion even more. Traveling by ladders and boats from afar, they gathered here as never before recorded. Had it not been for a silent resonance of heartfelt sympathy, how could they have braved the unfathomable perils of the azure waves and crossed the catastrophe of being swallowed by giant sea monsters, to exhaustively bring the perfect brightness of the nine assemblies from afar?
Tracing its beginning, Buddhabhadra transmitted it under the Jin; bringing it to completion, the foreign king offers it today. The seven luminaries increase in radiance by it, and the myriad beings revere its supreme principle. It is difficult for conscious intellect to praise adequately. As for serving as an exemplar and bestowing instructions, embodying the state and giving peace to the people, though long years have stretched on and the virtuous beneficence has reached far, there has never been such flourishing of a dynastic revival: Chinese and barbarians all submit, establishing the foundations of rites and music and opening the portents of the spiritual sages. The Yellow River runs clear and the sea is tranquil; this was not translated merely for Qin. The monk Lingsui and others, thoroughly investigating the secret mysteries and devoutly receiving sagely plans, have glossed terms in clerical script for today and investigated ancient meanings based on the Sanskrit, probing the profound intent and drawing verification from earlier masters. How could matching concepts or the nine schools alone enjoy prestige?
We have reverently placed it in a precious casket, adorning it with solemn dignity and deep veneration. Surrounded by incense and flowers, held aloft and welcomed by devas and humans, we jointly went to the Right Yintai Gate to present it. We humbly reflect that the Heavenly Spirit operates broadly, cherishing people as its children, mindful that the common multitudes may fully attain the ford leading to the path of awakening. Your subjects Xianming and others, having fortuitously met with this prosperous age, have been able to protect the True Teaching. Incompetent in our supervising duties, we have unworthily presented the tribute of the Southern Palace; our gratitude is deep and difficult to repay, which vainly increases our trepidation. Concerning this sūtra, we humbly pray that it be proclaimed and delivered to both within the palace and outside, so that its merit may above assist the imperial reign and below protect all living beings. Unable to endure our utmost earnestness, we respectfully present this memorial to submit it for Your hearing. Your Subject Xianming and others, with true fear and dread, kowtow, kowtow, and respectfully state this. On the twenty-fourth day of the second month of the fourteenth year of Zhenyuan, presented by Your Subject Huo Xianming, Protector-General Palace Commandant of the Right Shence Army, Commissioner of Buddhist Merits for the Right Street, Yuancong Veteran of Xingyuan, Yunhui General, General of the Right Gate Watchmen Guard, Director of Palace Service Affairs, Upper Pillar of State, Founding Baron of Jiaocheng County with a fief of three hundred households, and others; and jointly presented by Your Subject Dou Wenchang, Protector-General Palace Commandant of the Left Shence Army, Commissioner of Buddhist Merits for the Left Street, Yuancong Veteran of Xingyuan, General of Agile Cavalry, Acting Grand General of the Right Gate Watchmen Guard, Director of Palace Service Affairs, Upper Pillar of State, Duke of Bin State with a fief of three thousand households.
The note says: On this day, the Emperor examined the memorial, and the new sūtra was presented accordingly. Suddenly the clouds gathered up and the mists dispersed; the Sagely Sun and the bright sun shone together in brilliance. As the sūtra scroll was opened, the imperial manners and the wind of the Dharma blew together in accord. The genial light and pure air produced an enchanting landscape, warm and harmonious; a joyful countenance floated through the air, and all living beings shared in the celebration. Thereupon, the palace commissioner of high rank, the Attendant-in-Waiting Ma Quan, was sent down to console the Buddhist community. He proclaimed the imperial command to the Tripiṭaka Master and Great Worthies: "Lately, in translating the *Buddhāvataṃsaka-mahāvaipulya-sūtra*, you have endured great toil. Now that it is completed and presented, it deeply comforts Our heart. In the warmth of spring, are you masters all safe and well?"
Tripiṭaka Master Prajñā submitted a memorial to offer congratulations. The Kashmīran Tripiṭaka Master temporarily residing at Liquan Monastery in the Upper Capital, the purple-robe-bestowed śramaṇa Prajñā, stated: